Cathode Scientist – Li-ion Battery Cell (Applied Research)
Oxford
What you'll do… You will lead research and development focused on cathode materials for Li-ion batteries, driving material innovation, validation, and scalability for next-generation technologies.
This role is essential for advancing high-performance, state-of-the-art cathode materials, with an emphasis on materials sourcing and supply chain alignment.
Conduct cutting-edge research to develop and optimise cathode materials, focusing on high energy density, cycle stability, and safety for Li-ion cells.
Perform rigorous electrochemical and physical testing of new cathode materials to validate performance and compatibility within the cell.
Collaborate with supply chain and sourcing teams to evaluate raw material quality and ensure materials meet performance specifications and sustainability standards.
Drive innovation in cathode chemistries, such as high-nickel or cobalt-free materials, to meet the demands of future-generation Li-ion batteries.
Analyse test data to identify performance trends and make adjustments to formulations or synthesis methods to enhance cell performance.
Work closely with materials science, electrolyte, and cell design teams to integrate cathode advancements into full cell prototypes.
Maintain detailed documentation of research processes, material validations, and test results, providing insights to R&D leadership and project stakeholders.
Who we are… Agratas is a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons.
We will design, develop and manufacture high-quality, high-performance, sustainable batteries for the mobility and energy sectors.
We are a scale-up business with a start-up mentality and the backing of a well-established parent company.
The UK business headquarters is in the Midlands and we are currently building a battery manufacturing facility in Bridgwater, Somerset.
What you'll bring… Deep understanding of cathode materials, including NMC, NCA, and next-gen chemistries, with experience in synthesis and electrochemical behavior.
Skilled in validating material properties using electrochemical (e.g., cycling, EIS) and structural analysis techniques (e.g., XRD, SEM).
Familiarity with supply chain requirements, raw material sourcing, and sustainable material considerations for battery production.
Ability to analyze test data, troubleshoot issues, and optimize cathode material formulations for enhanced cell performance.
Strong commitment to staying updated on advancements in cathode materials and the broader Li-ion battery field.
What you'll get… As a new company, our reward scheme is constantly evolving.
We continue to review the market to deliver a competitive benefits package, which currently includes private healthcare, car allowance, company bonus, enhanced parental leave policy and a cash allowance to boost your benefits.
We are a flexible business that is committed to promoting work-life balance, partnering with Yulife to provide our team members with total wellbeing support.
You'll work in a rapidly scaling-up environment as a subsidiary of the multinational corporation, Tata Sons, to help build the UK's biggest battery manufacturing facility and make your mark in a new organization.
Agratas is a place to be authentically you.
At Agratas we strongly believe that people are at their best when they feel supported and happy in their workplace.
To that end we continue to cultivate a diverse workforce which protects the individuality of each team member.
We therefore warmly welcome applicants from any race, gender, sexuality, and ability.
Should you have a preference in how your suitability is assessed for this role or require any reasonable adjustments please let the Talent Acquisition team know.